Air Quality Program

Windblown & Construction Dust InformationA picture of a severe dust storm in Eastern Washington 2005.

In dry areas like eastern Washington, dust is a significant air pollution problem in the form of fine particulate matter, or PM10. If you live in eastern Washington, you have probably experienced windblown dust storms, or the effects of construction dust blowing onto nearby properties. From spring through fall, high winds in the Columbia Plateau region can combine with dry weather conditions and unprotected fields to result in dust storms. These dust storms can lead to extremely high levels of particulate matter air pollution.

Under air pollution laws, most windblown dust storms are considered “natural events” which are regulated differently than other sources of air pollution. This site contains materials on natural events policies, the problem of windblown dust and its health effects, and particulate matter in general.

This site also contains information on dust from other sources.


Windblown Dust Information

September 1, 2002

April 27, 2004

February 8, 2007

Information about Natural Events - Windblown Dust

General Information on Particulate Matter

  • Focus Sheet: Major Air Pollutants - Particulate Matter

Dust From Other Sources

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